Dillon Burns > Recent Status Updates

A great collection of poems to read slowly, almost like a walk in the woods with such earthy imagery infused in nearly every poem.

An important point:

"The result of the Christian Right's commitment to culture-warring was that while we were trying to convince those outside the church that we loved them, our commitment to white Christian nationalism ensured that they perceived that narrative as a lie. The same trends continue today." (p.20)

The stunning conclusions from this chapter: being racist is a statistically significant independent variable for prediction whether someone is a Christian, and how frequently someone attends church has no impact on whether someone holds racist views. This is rigorous quantitative evidence that the white Christian church hasn't simply been apathetic to racism but actively transmitted and reinforced white supremacy.

Every page in this book continues to be compelling, convicting, frustrating, and galvanizing.

This is a good point:

"Ultimately, the construction of a new foundation will require white Americans to do something we have never been willing to do: reanimate our own histories and confront a violent and unflattering past."

"Through every chapter [of American history], white Christianity has been at the ready to ensure white Christians that they are alternatively -- and sometimes simultaneously -- the noble protagonists and the blameless victims." (pg 20)

Only fifteen pages in and it's already insightful and offering a very direct and pointed depiction of white supremacy in America today.

Love this: "Postpartum depression broke over me like a colossal wave almost immediately after Violet was born, though I didn't call it by its name, and I didn't treat it. It's hard to treat what you can't-or won't-name."